‘Rogue’ Daycare Workers Busted for Allegedly Running Child Fight Ring
Christina Coulter, Fox News, November 10, 2023
Two South Carolina daycare teachers face multiple charges for allegedly directing 3 and 4-year-olds in their care to fight each other and “allow[ing] the violence to proceed without correction,” police said.
Kids Unlimited of Prosperity day care employees Ericka Jones, 27, and Serena Caldwell, 56, turned themselves in to authorities on Thursday after warrants were issued for their arrest, per the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office.
Both are charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and unlawful conduct to a child, according to the department’s Friday press release. Jones faces 14 counts of each charge, while Caldwell faces 15.
Daycare owner John David Dawkins wrote in a statement provided to local outlet WIS-TV that Jones and Caldwell were “immediately terminated” after staff reported their behavior and security footage was viewed.
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Investigating deputies discovered that the two women instructed children to shove, pull and hit each other, per the outlet.
Foster told WLTX that the behavior “started out with [Caldwell and Jones] saying the teacher had promoted other students or other clients of the daycare, to use violence to try to punish a child or make another child compliant.”
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A total of 14 children were involved, Foster said – per WLTX they were between three and four years old.
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